Boy devastated as move to new school blocked
NINE-YEAR-OLD Ethan Cottingham is unable to start at a mainstream school because there is no-one to look after him during his dinner break.
Ethan needs constant supervision as he has a tube in his throat from surgery when he was a baby. If the tube becomes dislodged, he could stop breathing.
Despite the tracheostomy, the youngster started school at the same time as others his age and had been attending Blackfriars Special School, in Newcastle, up until the end of the last school year.
He was due to move to St Giles's and St George's Primary School, also in Newcastle, last week before his mum was told that he would not be able to go because there is no-one to look after him at lunchtime.
Instead, he must stay at Blackfriars School until extra help is found.
Julie Cottingham, of Pool Street, Newcastle, says the decision is not acceptable.
The 41-year-old cleaner said: "Ethan started at Blackfriars because everyone felt at the time that it would be the safest environment for him, but he has no special educational needs so he doesn't need to be there.
"His new school had plenty of notice to try to get some help in place but it just hasn't happened."
Ethan, who turns 10 this week, had been attending St Giles's and St George's Primary School half a day, once a week, before the summer break.
During that time, he had been accompanied by a health professional who could offer him one-to-one care and life support if his tube dislodged and he stopped breathing.
But Ethan does not meet the criteria for this help to continue at his new school and although staff there were prepared to undergo the training to look after him in class, there was still a lunchtime gap.
Julie, who has two other children, 15-year-old Jesse and 13-year-old Jasmine, says she does not see why she should have to provide the care at school.
She said: "It is vital Ethan goes to mainstream school because you can't get anywhere in life without a proper education.
"The children at Blackfriars are all lovely but Ethan can't have the friendships and bonds with them like he can at a mainstream school.
"It will affect him for the rest of his life if he doesn't get the start be needs now.
"I work so I can't go into the school to provide care at lunchtime and I don't think it is acceptable to expect me to do it. Ethan is with me every minute outside school because of his needs.
"He wants independence and doesn't want me at school with him as well."
Ethan said: "I was looking forward to going to the new school and don't like not being able to go there."
A spokesman for Staffordshire County Council said: "The council fully supports Ethan's transfer from Blackfriars to a local mainstream school.
"However, there is a need to have support in place to meet his medical needs.
"We are working closely with both schools and the PCT to ensure that this is the case.
"Once it is, Ethan will be able to transfer."
Lynne Evans, headteacher at St Giles's and St George's Primary School, said the school was happy to have Ethan as long as he was safe.
She said: "We try to meet the needs of all children but if they have a life-threatening problem we have to be careful of how we look after them."
NHS North Staffordshire declined to comment, saying the issue was a matter for the county council.
22 Comments
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by annonymous, Alsager
Friday, September 18 2009, 11:21AM
“What I don¿t understand is how anyone is able to judge or accuse Julie about this story when clearly she is a mother trying to do the best for her son. I think it¿s disgusting that she would be ridiculed by anybody for doing everything she can for Ethan.”
by mel, stoke
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 10:03PM
“Ethan would probably be better of staying at Blackfriars, there is more help there than any child could possibly need. The staff are fantastic, medically trained and know what they are doing with the children. Ethans mother sounds to be extremely rude, and has little respect for her childs colleagues. Ethan won't get the help and support he needs from a mainstream school, and when he goes to high school, its a different picture completely. If she wants to go and say the things she has, like in this article, she should go and say it to clive lilley's face, and see what he has to go and say. If I see this women in the street, i'll tell her what I think of her attitude personally.”
by Micheala, Packmoor
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 10:59PM
“Julie, I know Blackfriars is not the problem as tey are giving your son home tutoring!! sensitive, maybe but you have offended a lot of people....... reread you quotes and give it a bit more thought next time. You should know better, dear!!”
by Julie, stoke
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 12:06PM
“Michaela, Black friars is not the problem nor the children in the school, the problem is Ethan needs to move to a mainstream school, you seem a little over sensitive dear!”
by micheala, Packmoor
Monday, September 14 2009, 9:42PM
“Well I totally agree with Mel of Stoke. Not only does Ethan's mum disrespect the students at Blackfriars, she manages to disregard the excellent education provoided there. Blackfriars is one of the top schools in the country (check out the league tables). Our daughter attends Blackfriars and her social circle is huge. Maybe she could practice some social skills and and talk to the other school and while she's at it teach her son some social skills so he can "bond" with his peers! Yes she is attention seeking but I wonder if she would like to repeat her comments to parents and staff at Blackfriars and see if she liked the attention then.”